Medtronic settles states' Infuse probe

BOSTON — Medtronic Plc has agreed to pay $12 million to resolve claims that the company engaged in a deceptive marketing strategy to promote its Infuse bone graft product used in spinal surgery, the Massachusetts attorney general said on Wednesday.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said the settlement will resolve an investigation by her office and those in four other states related to Medtronic's promotion of Infuse, which is used to stimulate bone growth.

In court papers, Healey alleged that Medtronic sought to expand the device's market by using deceptive company-sponsored scientific literature to make false and misleading claims about its safety and superiority.

According to the lawsuit, Medtronic collaborated with doctors who were paid millions of dollars in consulting fees to publish studies that the company then disseminated downplaying side-effects and omitting discussion of adverse results.

"Companies cannot use deceptive practices to increase their profits, while compromising the safety and well-being of patients," Healey said in a statement.